The Barcelona coach claimed victory in the Champions League with Bayern Munich in the year 2020.
Barca manager Hansi Flick admits he hopes to avoid his young family members seeing the actions that resulted in his red card during the fixture against the Catalan rivals.
Flick received a yellow card for sarcastically clapping the fourth official when he indicated additional time of injury time, following the team's missed chances with the game tied.
When substitute the defender scored a decisive goal for Barca, Flick joined the fans in joyous scenes and was shown a second yellow for displaying an obscene gesture.
"I dislike seeing myself in this state on television, and I don't want my descendants from seeing their grandfather like that," Flick said. "So I likely have to adjust my conduct."
The Coach Attributes Passion to Love for Barcelona
Addressing media at a news conference before the team meet Olympiacos in the European competition, Flick linked the gesture for which he was disciplined to the strong emotions he has for the club, which he has managed since May 2024.
He was head coach at Bayern Munich when the German side became the first to net eight times against Barcelona in more than 50 years in 2020, and states to have been understated on the sideline as his team advanced into a Champions League semi-final.
"I remember when I was manager of Bayern, the video of the match against Barca showed that I had the same reaction to the initial, second and final goals," said Flick. "Observers remarked I didn't show joy! Right now I'm showing more emotion, it's true, because this team has completely changed me."
"Maybe I should control my emotions, but I love Barca, the city and its supporters, and that's why I always give my all."
Suspension for Key Match
The manager's red card comes with a sideline suspension which will restrict him to the seating area of the stadium as his team play Real Madrid in the derby on this weekend – though the club are appealing against the ruling.
Club president the president claimed a "hidden influence" was behind referee Jesus Gil Manzano's decisions against Girona – referring to favoritism toward Real Madrid – though Flick himself refused to get drawn into suggestions of referee partiality.
"I held no issue with the referee," he said. "I wasn't complaining at him but he interpreted it that way and that's a situation I have to acknowledge."
